You’ll notice something new with the Blog … actually, that would be “hear” something new. We’ve added a playlist to our Sonific widget. If you scroll down a tad, that’s the little music player on the right … a “widget.” It shows the album cover, the song playing at the moment and has controls for play, stop, volume and advance. If you don’t like the song currently playing, click on the button with the arrows and see what comes up next. Or you can simply stop the player.

Most of the selections chosen are instrumentals, bringing to mind an age long past when the Apso freely roamed its native land of Tibet. Perhaps you will see the mists swirling low in the mountain passes as they ride the winds of change. Then, again, you may find just a hint of Santana … 😉

Update: Hmmph … wouldn’t ya know it. We just get it all set up and then Sonific leaves the ‘Net as of May 1, 2008. So what you hear is … nothing!

“Furbaby” … the word sends chills up my spine. While we love our four-legged companions dearly, we must never lose sight of the fact our canine companions are a species unto themselves. Many of the surrenders we get into rescue are there because the owners lovingly, yet mistakenly, anthropomorphize (attribute human form or personality to things not human) these cute little dogs, not realizing that the Apso is one of the most dominant dogs in a small package. Give them an inch and they will take a mile … you can bet on it!

Jan Warren, active in Dalmatians since 1988, was a guest columnist in the December AKC Gazette. She is an AKC judge and has served as an officer, committee chair, and show chair for several kennel clubs, including the Dalmatian Club of America. She has graciously given permission for reprint of her column submission …

Treat Me Like a Dog

At a recent show, I was dumbstruck by the sight of a girl walking a Chihuahua fully attired in a flowered sundress with matching bonnet. While many folks saw the embodiment of cute, I was appalled. In my opinion, this dog didn’t look cute — just plain foolish.

Unfortunately, this notion of turning our dogs into furry people appears to be growing out of control. We see them sporting the latest fashions, pushed in strollers, and slung in totes. Day care, therapists, and even pet psychics are available. Dogs are not people! Yes, we do have some traits in common. However, a trait or two does not a human make, and when we expect our dogs to act accordingly, we set them up for failure.

Dogs are thinking, emotional beings but not in the same ways we are. Their lives are governed by instincts with which we cannot reason. While we strive to provide them with the best of nutrition, they are still predators born to the chase. We should not be surprised when they go for a cat, squirrel, or even another little dog that crosses their path. We should not be offended when our intact male dogs makes eye contact and bristles at another boy. It doesn’t necessarily mean they have a poor temperament or are aggressive. They are males with the male need to defend their territory against a possible sexual interloper. We can train and socialize our dogs to the best of our abilities but, in the long run, genes will win out.

Yes, I believe in training and socialization. We cannot allow our dogs to mark their territories in our homes, bark incessantly, or run loose, terrorizing the neighborhood. However, training should be tempered with the understanding that in certain circumstances, nature will take precedence. Anyone who has had an intact male dog living with a female in season knows no amount of reasoning will calm his need to breed. You either live with the howling, slobbering, barking and panting — or temporarily relocate one of the parties. Telling him “next time” or “not this girl” will not appease him.

Dogs are unique in the animal world. No other creature has ever been designated “man’s best friend.” There’s something special in the makeup of a dog that has earned him this one-of-a-kind title. It is his joie de vivre, his unconditional love, his unswerving loyalty? Yes, yes, and yes. Dogs are all these things and more, because their joy, love and loyalty are not contaminated by human traits of bitterness, vindictiveness and betrayal. By attempting to remake them in our image, we are demeaning the very character of the dog.

Think of it this way: How exciting and fascinating is it to be able to develop such an intimate relationship with an entirely different species? Let’s celebrate those differences and try to look for the good, savor the moment, be content with what we have, and who we are. In this way, maybe we can both, as species, become a bit better than we would be without each other. ~~ J.W.

Rocky Mountain Cluster: Once again, we’re gearing up for the largest dog show in Colorado … The Rocky Mountain Cluster held February 15-18 at the National Western Complex (Expo Hall), 4655 Humboldt in Denver. The local show club … the Lhasa Apso Club of Central Colorado … will be holding its specialty on Friday, February 15th. This is an opportunity to see the both the Regular classes (for points) and the Sweepstakes (“Sweeps”) for young dogs 6-18 months of age. Basically, you’ll get to see two shows — Sweeps and then the Regular classes. Friday also sees less attendance so parking and getting in and around isn’t as hectic. If one can’t make it on Friday, there’s always Saturday, Sunday and Monday but with only Regular classes being shown.

The Premium List, which contains information on the show, parking, maps and entry, can be found here … Premium List. The actual times for judging and the ring numbers are not disseminated until just a week before the show. As that information becomes available, I’ll post it here.

Show Schedule: As promised, following is information regarding times and ring numbers …

Friday: Sweeps begin at 11:40 a.m. in Ring 9; Regular classes at 12:10 in the same ring;

Saturday: Regular classes at 10:40 a.m. in Ring 8;

Sunday: Regular classes at 8:00 a.m. in Ring 6 (basement). Some of you may not realize what it takes to get a coated dog in the ring this early as well as factoring in travel time to the show site. You can bet several exhibitors (if not most) will be up at 5:00 a.m. … or earlier!!

We have a huge turn out for the area and have exhibitors coming in from as far away as Canada. Sweeps has an entry of 10 Apsos and the regular classes have 27 entered (9 dogs/14 bitches/3 dog specials /0 bitch specials. “Specials” are finished champions competing only for Best of Breed.

If you’re thinking of attending, please be sure to give yourself plenty of time for parking, getting in the facility, and then finding the right ring and some chairs (rings are marked by numbers on tall poles). Parking, depending on where one finds an open lot, can run anywhere from $5 to $10 — and it may also be a long walk! Entry fee to the Expo Hall is generally $3. Please note that dogs not entered in the show are not allowed on the site.

As the largest show in the region, the selection of vendors and their wares is pretty amazing … if it’s dog related, you’ll find it at this show! From art prints, to clothing, to grooming supplies, to dog beds, to K9-related jewelry, to crates and tables, it will be at this show. Might want to bring the plastic along …

Besides the conformation competition, one can also find other venues such as Rally, Obedience, and Agility. These are generally held in the Events Center which fronts 47th Street.

Hope to see you there … it’s a great reason to come out and support the breed! If you need more information, please feel free to contact me at: ApsoRescue@aol.com.

Loveland Pet Expo: Now an annual event, ApsoRescueColorado will be attending Loveland’s Pet Expo on Saturday, February 23rd at the Chilson Center from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This will be our third year in attendance. If we don’t have a foster dog ready for adoption, we’ll take a couple of our Apsos and use it as an opportunity to educate folks about the breed and rescue. If you’re in the area, please come by and say hello! Update on the Expo … article from the Loveland Reporter Herald.